Mike Ashley prepared to buy Derby County and save them from extinction

Pride Park Stadium-Derby County FC

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is keen on purchasing the Championship club Derby County.

According to a report from Daily Star, the former Newcastle United owner is looking to save the club from administration. He has reached out to the Derby County supporters claiming that he is looking to buy the club and save it from extinction.

“It is 100 per cent incorrect that Mike Ashley has pulled out of the process,” Ashley’s spokesman Keith Bishop said.

“Mike is still very interested in the football club. He is unhappy about suggestions he is pulling out, and he is keen to save the club.”

The Championship outfit have been in administration since September, and the club was expected to be sold by December.

It will be interesting to see if Ashley can agree on a deal and secure the ownership of Darby over the next few weeks.

The fans are currently facing an anxious wait regarding a decision.

The Championship outfit have total debt of around £60 million, and Mike Ashley will have to clear the accounts to purchase the club.

The former Newcastle owner believes that it might take around 3 months to complete the whole process.

That said, a concrete bidder is set to be announced by next month, and Ashley will be hoping to begin the takeover process by then.

Meanwhile, the takeover is complicated by issues surrounding the ownership of Pride Park.

Ashley will have to buy the stadium or lease it from Mel Morris, the former Derby owner, for any takeover to go through.

Derby County are currently 23rd in the league table after their significant point deduction. It will be interesting to see if manager Wayne Rooney can guide them to safety this season.